gigantism

From French gigantisme, from Latin gigans (“giant”).

• IPA^(key): /d͡ʒaɪˈɡæntɪzəm/, /d͡ʒəˈɡæntɪzəm/, /ˈd͡ʒaɪɡəntɪzəm/

gigantism (countable and uncountable, plural gigantisms)

1. The quality or state of being gigantic; being of abnormally large size.
2. A condition where there is over-production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland in a child before the bone growth plates close, resulting in excessive long bone growth, accompanied by muscular weakness and sexual impotence.
   • 2020, Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar, Hamish Hamilton, page 68:

     He [...] may have had a condition called gigantism that explained his notable height.

• giantism
• macrosomia

• local gigantism

• acromegaly

Borrowed from French gigantisme. By surface analysis, gigant +‎ -ism.

gigantism n (uncountable)

1. gigantism